General Chat

"The Government has faced calls to scrap its flagship employment scheme after new figures showed only 3.5% of those taking part had found sustainable jobs.

Figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions showed that 800,000 people had started the Work Programme since it was launched last year, but only 31,000 stayed in a job for six months."

I suppose 31,000 in jobs and plenty more having had work experience is a result of sorts, but youth unemployment is still a tragedy.

What thoughts?

Lower the unemployment benefit and the length of time this "benefit" is paid.

All unemployment is a tragedy, but there will always be those who don't want to work.
I do not see an end to this problem

George

Not sure what you mean, David. Is it force young people to get work through deprivation? :-S

Remember the A4E scandal?


This is not about getting people into work, its about lining the pockets of commercial companies, that have strong links to Government


David, there are NO jobs for people to take, they are not all scroungers

What are your thoughts?

I was involved in an excellent scheme back in mid 1980's with Tesco. Don't think it was called YTS but was similar.

We had to draw up a 12 month training programme with Government and agree to recruit trainees from dole. We paid them full wage of an assistant for those 12 months and Government gave us back half their wages and helped with their expenses.

It was called "First Rung" by Tesco and in 3 years we trained 1400 youngsters. They went round every section of a supermarket, went on a one week outward bound up in Peak District, and did a week of supervisory skills at a management training centre. They were assessed by Personnel Manager in stores every 4 weeks.

At end of year, almost all got jobs. I reckon at least 50% were still with Tesco 3 years after course. Quite a few were department heads by time they were 22 - earning fairly good money.

And all out of work and signing on at start of course. It was excellent for the employer (Tesco were then expanding at a pace and really needed young and enthusiastic and trained section heads) and it was excellent for these youngsters. Very hard work for them, but if you have been out of work for a few months, you are usually up for anything.
:-)

Eldrick, my dear Sir. I hesitate to ask your thoughts. But think I would welcome input ;-)

draws deep breath, girds loins ( lol) and wonders if I have any aspirin in :-D

Rose - how about a glass of vino instead :-D :-D

Rose, I am on bestest of terms with Eldrick. I think he is coming to my London club as an honoured guest some time soon. So no need for aspirin :-D :-D

And for my son?

Learning disabled so at an immediate disadvantage.

Left college, three year course for 'special needs', and signed on under the guidance of two Disability Employment Advisors.

I cannot fault the Advisors, supportive and helpful, but no jobs.

We were told his next step was the work programme but there is no way we could have been able to cope with the pressure.

I eventually signed my son back into a college course but by then the two advisors had been reduced to one.

The last three times we saw the lone Advisor she had to 'juggle/fudge' her appointments to ensure my son was able to sign on on the right day.

As for the work programme......I have contact with other mothers with children like mine who cannot afford to put their children back into education ......They report that the Advisors just go through the motions, they know there are no jobs for our children, let alone all the others looking for work without additional challenges.

ooh Sheila now you're talking lol, I rarely drink but have just bought 3 bottles of white as Christmas presents for family, one might just go astray :-D

Chris. How frustrating for him. 27 years ago, employers were encouraged to draw up their own programme. They had to meet a lot of criteria, and that included disability employment legislation.

I think any job creation has to be employer led - with Government and local advisers helping with the admin, paper work and auditing of how public money is being spent.

There are large companies who would love to have more people on board if they could get financial help. And there are loads of small companies in Wales who would take on an extra part-timer if it was made very easy for them.

My son was in a similar situation. Was put on a Prince of Wales course 10 years ago. He loved every minute and has either been in University or work ever since. Not earning a fortune, but pays his way and runs a smart little car.

You wouldnt like my thoughts on price fixing giant supermarket chains , im pretty sure of that but thats not the issue.

The issue is that we have quite simply priced ourselves out of the manufacturing market and cannot compete against Asia. So what jobs are there to be created? IT, finance, technology, tourism.......? Woeful lack of investment in these areas. Plus what role models have youngstes got? Footballers and dumbed down celebritys famous for being famous.

The UK needs to invest and promote science and technology and not until school leavers aspire to excel in these areas will we see a turn around.

Training kids to sell stuff is no good. If the stuff they are selling is imported how mad is that.

....and do you know


JCP staff are now targeted on 'sanctions' as opposed to people getting into work!

In other words, 'removing' people from benefits

Encourage more employers to offer apprenticeships.

https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide/overview

John that is a question that has been asked for many years now. The gov seem to think that charging what they do is ok for students going to colledge or uni. the fact is that the student may be as old as 52 years old by the time they pay off a education debt, thats not the way to encourage young people to learn a trade/profession. Jobs are very rare to find let alone get so people have no choice but to get some help off the gov, so to stop that help would do a lot of harm to alot of people. It is wrong to put everybody in the same group & say don't give them anymore help let them get a job.
Like I said JOBS are increasingly hard to find.
It would be better to find a way to let the younger working person be happy to learn a trade, go to college/uni or start a company up to employ others. Seems to me this Gov look after the rich & rob the working class person,sick,elderly & poor.

Eldrick

I think price fixing was investigated a few years ago and supermarkets were found innocent. Surprised me as well, after 25 years managing in supermarkets :-D

I feel you are absolutely correct. Service jobs cannot really sustain an economy. You notice this in South Wales. Proper manufacturing jobs once, now part time in Comet till Christmas. Over 50 applicants to clean the public toilets in Pontyclun area recently. Thrilled if you get a job with Admiral selling what no one wants or can afford.

Whatever happened to Buy British?

It depends 'which' Brits you buy from John

Tell the dairy farmers theres no price fixing. Which supermarket chains were fined millions not so long ago for price fixing dairy products?